RFID tag communication triggered by sensed energy

ABSTRACT

An RFID tag is equipped with an energy sensor for receiving an appropriate energy signal or registering an appropriate temperature/environmental level. The RFID tag only responds to a query from an RFID reader if the sensor receives the appropriate stimulation.

CROSS REFERENCES

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/038,854, entitled “METHOD FOR SPECIFIC RFID TAG IDENTIFICATION WITHREAD/WRITE ENABLE VIA OPTICAL SENSOR”, filed Mar. 24, 2008, and ishereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

RFID readers are used to scan RFID tags on packages in environments suchas warehouses and distribution centers where multiple RFID tags may bewithin range of a particular RFID reader. Typically, a group read may bemade of an entire pallet of packages with RFID tags. If there is adiscrepancy between the information scanned by an RFID reader and theexpected responses, each package on the pallet must be isolated, forexample separated by distance outside the range of the reader, orindividually placed in a Faraday cage, and queried to determine if oneor more tags are not responding.

When packages having RFID tags are read in a high speed conveyor belttunnel, a specific tag's identification is used to make routingdecisions for the package or to verify sequence processing. However, atag may sometimes provide an unwanted response when triggered by randomRF energy. The unwanted response may occur if a package with an RFID tagis placed too close to another package with an RFID tag on the conveyorbelt, and the tags of both items sense the read and/or write commandfrom the RFID reader energy within the tunnel. In addition, RFID tagsare susceptible to responding to reads by unauthorized personnel.

There is a need for a system that overcomes the above problems, as wellas providing additional benefits. Overall, the above examples of somerelated systems and associated limitations are intended to beillustrative and not exclusive. Other limitations of existing or priorsystems will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon readingthe following Detailed Description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a fixed RFID reader and a mobile handheld RFID reader in atypical RFID scanning environment.

FIG. 2 shows a suitable block diagram of an RFID reader with an energyemitter.

FIG. 3 shows a suitable block diagram of an RFID tag with an energysensor.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating an example of a series ofcommunications between an RFID reader with an energy emitter and an RFIDtag with and energy sensor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Described in detail below is an RFID reader that emits energy such aslaser light, infrared light, any other wavelength of electromagneticenergy, sound or ultrasound energy, or other energy carrier modulatedwith a signal to trigger one or more targeted RFID tags to respond to anRFID interrogation. Alternatively, targeted RFID tags may be placed in acontrolled environment having a temperature within a certain limitedrange before the tags are triggered to respond. Traditional RFID tagsare equipped with a sensor to detect the energy emitted by the RFIDreader and respond appropriately.

Various aspects and examples of the invention will now be described. Thefollowing description provides specific details for a thoroughunderstanding and enabling description of these examples. One skilled inthe art will understand, however, that the invention may be practicedwithout many of these details. Additionally, some well-known structuresor functions may not be shown or described in detail, so as to avoidunnecessarily obscuring the relevant description.

The terminology used in the description presented below is intended tobe interpreted in its broadest reasonable manner, even though it isbeing used in conjunction with a detailed description of certainspecific examples of the invention. Certain terms may even be emphasizedbelow; however, any terminology intended to be interpreted in anyrestricted manner will be overtly and specifically defined as such inthis Detailed Description section.

FIG. 1 shows a typical application in which an RFID reader having anenergy emitter would be used for unlocking targeted RFID tags. In anenvironment such as a warehouse, packages 101, 102, 103, 104, eachhaving an RFID tag 101 a, 102 a, 103 a, 104 a, may move along a conveyorbelt 105. As described in detail below, the packages 101, 102, 103, 104each have an energy sensor associated with a respective tag 101 a, 102a, 103 a, 104 a. Typically, a package's energy sensor would be locatedvery close to the package's RFID tag. In a first example, a fixed RFIDreader 120 attached to a structure 110 spanning across a conveyor belt105 is used to scan RFID tags 101 a, 102 a, 103 a, 104 a. The RFIDreader 120 may be attached to any structure on, next to, near, or over alocation where RFID tagged packages pass, such as a conveyor belt, aloading dock door, or a forklift truck. In a second example, a mobilehandheld RFID reader 130 may be used near the conveyor belt 105.

In either embodiment, the RFID reader 120, 130 may be constantlyemitting energy aimed in a particular direction. For convenience ofdiscussion, the specific example of a laser will be used for the energyemitter used with the RFID reader 120, 130, although other types ofenergy emitters may be used. Thus, a fixed RFID reader 120 hangingdirectly over a conveyor belt 105 would have its laser mounted to aimthe beam downwards, while the packages 101, 102, 103, 104 would beoriented on the conveyor belt such that the RFID tags 101 a, 102 a, 103a, 104 a and energy sensors would be located on the top face of thepackage. Alternatively, a mobile handheld RFID reader 130 to the side ofthe conveyor belt 105 would have its laser aimed sideways, while thepackages 101, 102, 103, 104 would be oriented on the conveyor belt suchthat the RFID tags 101 a, 102 a, 103 a, 104 a and sensors would belocated on a side face of the package facing the handheld RFID reader130. The laser beam emitted by the RFID reader 120, 130, may be used asa key to trigger an RFID tag's response to an RFID interrogation. Thus,if a package's energy sensor does not first receive the RFID reader's120, 130 emitted energy signal, the RFID tag will not respond to an RFIDquery, even though the RFID tag might be in range of the RFID reader's120, 130 RF signal. The RFID reader 120, 130 may emit its laser beameither constantly or intermittently between scans of RFID tags to savepower. Also, the emitted laser beam may be focused to select a singletag or may be diverging, yet still directional, such that one or moretags within the diverging beam are selected to be responsive.

Using an RFID reader 120, 130 in conjunction with an energy emitter suchas a laser may serve several purposes. In one scenario, the laser beammay be used as a security mechanism. For example, items of high securitysuch as expensive or confidential assets may require added security. AnRFID tag's energy sensor may be configured to respond only to energy ofa specific wavelength. Thus, only an RFID reader equipped with theappropriate wavelength laser will be able to access data stored withinthat RFID tag. Alternatively or additionally, the energy emitter canemit sound waves at a pre-set frequency or in a predetermined frequencyand/or amplitude pattern to trigger a particular RFID tag to respond toRFID queries. Alternatively or additionally, the energy emitter may be asource of invisible energy, such as infrared, ultrasound, or invisiblewavelength lasers, and the energy emitter may even be independent of theRFID reader. For example, an emitter may be mounted over an area whereRFID tags are read, and the RFID reader may be positioned at a differentlocation. The lack of visibility of the emitted energy and the placementof the energy emitter in a different location from the RFID reader addadditional layers of security because even personnel working in the areaor even working directly with the RFID reader would not be aware of theenergy source used to trigger responses from certain packages with RFIDtags or even the location of the energy emitter. Alternatively oradditionally, the RFID tag may employ thresholding circuitry so that areceived energy signal or RF signal having a minimal power trigger levelwould be necessary to trigger a response which would eliminate falsetriggering of the energy sensor/tag. Alternatively or additionally, theenergy source may be encoded, encrypted, or secured, for examplemodulated with a pre-arranged pattern, such that a processor attached toan RFID tag's sensor would permit access to an RFID tag's data only ifthe proper encoded energy were received at the sensor. In one example,the RFID tag's antenna may be used as the energy sensor to receive aparticular encoded RF signal from the RFID reader. Whether or not the RFsignal transmitted by the RFID reader is encoded, the RFID tag responseto the RF signal may or may not be encoded. Further, if the response isencoded, the tag need not use the same methodology to encode theresponse as the RFID reader used to encode the original RFID signal.

In another example, with the standardization of RFID tag read and writeover-the-air protocols, many RFID tags will respond to any RFID readerthat provides an RFID signal to the tag and a read command. Thus, withan energy source such as a laser or other energy emitter, an RFIDinterrogator may specifically identify a tag and its associated asset torespond to a query without receiving responses from all tags that may bepresent in the RFID field.

In yet another example, an RFID reader may illuminate an area such as aforklift pallet with an RF field, and expect all RFID tags within thepallet to respond to the RFID query. However, if there is a discrepancybetween the expected response and the actual received responses, eachRFID tag must typically be individually polled/scanned to determinewhich tag or tags are not responding. Instead of isolating and queryingeach individual package, a laser beam, or other energy source, emittedby the RFID reader or a separate source may be used to trigger aspecific tag to respond. In this case, the tags may have more than onemode. The tag may be placed in a mode that does not require a lasertrigger to respond to an RFID query, or the tag may be placed in a modethat requires receiving a laser trigger or registering a temperaturelevel before responding to an RFID query. Possible methods of triggeringdifferent modes include, but are not limited to, using specific RF orlaser codes corresponding to each mode and using a threshold power levelto toggle between modes.

Alternatively or additionally, biometric sensors can be used to unlockan individual RFID tag to ensure security of the data stored in thememory of the tag. Non-limiting examples of biometric sensors that canbe used with an RFID tag include sensors that responds to a thumb printor recognizes vein patterns or blood vessels corresponding to aparticular individual's hand, finger, or retina.

Alternatively or additionally, movement sensors can be used to triggeran RFID tag to respond to an RFID query. For example, one or moreaccelerometers or other movement sensors can be coupled to an RFID tagsuch that if the object and corresponding tag is shaken or displaced ina predetermined series of gestures, the RFID tag will be unlocked.Clearly, this type of movement sensor would be suitable fornon-breakable objects.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of an RFID reader 200 used to read RFIDtags. An RFID reader may include one or more processors 230, memoryunits 240, power sources 270, input/output devices 250, RFID radios 210,energy emitters 220, and communications modules 260.

A processor 230 may be used to run RFID reader applications and respondto energy sensor inputs. Memory units 240 may include but are notlimited to, RAM, ROM, or any combination of volatile and non-volatilememory. For either the fixed RFID reader 120 or the mobile handheld RFIDreader 130, a power supply 270 may include, but is not limited to, abattery or other portable power source such as a solar cell. Inaddition, the fixed RFID reader 120 may also derive its power throughwired means, such as a power cord plugged into an electrical outlet. Aninput/output device 250 may include, but is not limited to, hardware orsoftware triggers to start and stop the RFID reader or to initiate otherRFID reader functions, triggers to stop or start generation of theenergy emission source, triggers to place the energy sensor in aparticular mode, visual displays, speakers, and communication devicesthat operate through wired or wireless communications.

An RFID radio 210 includes standard components for communication withRFID tags at any radio frequency or frequencies, including an RFantenna. A communication module 260 may be used to receive and transmitcommunications. A mobile RFID reader 130 may communicate wirelessly, ormay be plugged into a module with wired connections for communicatingelectrically or optically. A fixed RFID reader 120 may communicateeither wirelessly or through electrical or optical cables.

Energy emitters 220 may emit energy such as laser light, infrared light,any wavelength or wavelengths of electromagnetic energy, and ultrasound.A person skilled in the art will understand that the emitted energy maybe constant, pulsed in time, or sent encoded with a particularpre-arranged code. Alternatively, the energy emitters 220 may not emitany energy if the RFID tags are equipped with a temperature sensor, suchthat an RFID tag would only respond to an RFID query if the tag isplaced in an environment having a temperature within a predeterminedtemperature range, for example between zero and ten degrees Celsius.

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of an RFID tag 300 able to respond to anRFID reader 200 with an energy emitter. An RFID tag may include one ormore RFID antennas 310, tag circuitry 320, sensors 330, and power source340. An RFID tag may be passive or active. With a passive tag, the RFsignal transmitted by an RFID reader 120, 130 induces electrical currentin the RFID antenna 310 to provide power to the tag circuitry 320 and/orthe sensor 330; a separate power source 340 would not be required. Also,a signal may be emitted by the antenna 310 in response to the RF signalfrom the RFID reader 120, 130. With an active tag, the RFID antenna 310responds to the RF signal from the RFID reader 120, 130 but does notnecessarily provide power from induced currents because a power source340, such as a battery, may be used.

Tag circuitry 320 serves several purposes that include, but is notlimited to, memory functions, logic functions, and communicationfunctions. The memory function may be performed by non-volatile memorysuch as EEPROM. The logic functions may process received RF signals froman RFID reader and/or received energy emissions, whether encoded or not.The communications functions may convert analog RF and energy signals todigital signals that the logic functions can operate upon.

The tag's energy sensor 330 may be semiconductor based, such as aphotodiode, photoresistor, photocell, or charge coupled device, or anultrasonic sensor such as a piezoelectric crystal. Filters (electrical,optical or otherwise) may be used with the energy sensor in order toprevent energy from sources other than the RFID reader 120,130 fromtriggering the tag's response.

In one embodiment, the RFID tag's energy sensor 330 may be powered in asimilar manner as a passive tag's antenna. Upon receiving an RF signalfrom an RFID reader, electrical current is induced in the tag's antenna310, and the current provides sufficient power to the tag's energysensor 330 and tag circuitry 320 for transmitting a response.Alternatively, the RFID tag's energy sensor 330 and/or antenna 310 mayreceive power provided by a power source 340 such as a battery.

Alternatively, the RFID tag may have a temperature sensor to detect thelocal temperature. When the sensor detects the temperature to be withina certain predetermined temperature range, the tag circuitry 320 may betriggered to respond to an RFID reader query. Otherwise, the tagcircuitry 320 will not respond to an RFID query. Thus, in this example,the triggering energy signal may be an environmental or passive energysignal. As such, the tag's energy sensor may detect a change in anyenvironmental energy level, including pressure, light, color, etc. Thus,an automated system may employ the reader 200, which monitors whenambient temperature satisfies a threshold condition (e.g. drops below athreshold temperature), at which point it attempts to read an RFID tagthat becomes selectively responsive to read/write functions when thetemperature drops below the threshold temperature.

Alternatively, the RFID tag may have sensors 330 and electroniccircuitry for detecting movement or biometric input. When theappropriate predetermined movement or series of movements have beensensed or when a correct biometric input has been received, the tagcircuitry 320 is unlocked and permitted to respond to an RFID query.

Alternatively or additionally, while the tag's energy sensor is shown asa separate element, it may form part of the tag circuitry 320. Forexample, as described herein, a triggering signal may be an RF signal atan energy level above a predetermined threshold (and above a standardenergy level for typical RF communications for reading from and writingto the tag). Thus, when an energy sensing portion of the tag circuitry320 in this example receives an RF signal above the threshold, thenread/write operations with the tag may be enabled.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example communication process 400 between RFIDreader 200 and RFID tag 300 that uses energy emission to trigger aresponse from the RFID tag. The actions of the RFID reader 200 on theleft and the RFID tag 300 on the right are shown relative to each otheras a function of time, with time increasing in the downwards directionin FIG. 4. Transmissions from the RFID reader to the RFID tag or viceversa are shown by the arrows crossing the center of FIG. 4. At block410, the RFID reader detects an input to begin querying RFID tags. Attransmission 420, the RFID reader emits energy, whether electromagneticor ultrasound, encoded or unencoded. Alternatively, the RFID tags may beplaced in a controlled temperature environment within a preselectedtemperature range. The RFID tag either detects and processes the emittedenergy or detects that the local temperature is within a predeterminedtemperature range at block 425. At block 430, upon verification that theappropriate energy signal was received or that the temperature is withina predetermined range, the RFID tag unlocks or otherwise makes availablethe data stored in its memory. The tag may be programmed to unlockaccess to stored data only for a limited period of time as an addedsecurity measure.

At block 441, the RFID reader polls the tag by sending an RFID query440. At block 444, the RFID tag responds and provides the requested datastored in memory in transmission 445. At block 450, the RFID readerreceives the stored data.

Optionally, at block 461, the RFID reader may send additional data tothe RFID tag 460 to write to the tag's memory. At block 465, the RFIDtag receives the data to be written and writes the data to memory atblock 470. At block 481, the RFID tag may optionally transmit aconfirmation 480 to the RFID reader that the data has been written tomemory. At block 490, the RFID reader receives the confirmation sent bythe RFID tag. Shortly after the time it takes to complete thecommunication process 400, the RFID tag may require its energy sensor toreceive another energy signal before allowing data to be either read orwritten.

The words “herein,” “above,” “below,” and words of similar import, whenused in this application, shall refer to this application as a whole andnot to any particular portions of this application. Where the contextpermits, words in the above Detailed Description using the singular orplural number may also include the plural or singular numberrespectively. The word “or,” in reference to a list of two or moreitems, covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any ofthe items in the list, all of the items in the list, and any combinationof the items in the list.

The above detailed description of embodiments of the invention is notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise formdisclosed above. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, theinvention are described above for illustrative purposes, variousequivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention,as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. For example, whilean RFID reader for interrogating RFID tags with RF signals is mentioned,any frequency of electromagnetic signal may be used under the principlesdisclosed herein.

The teachings of the invention provided herein can be applied to othersystems, not necessarily the system described above. The elements andacts of the various embodiments described above can be combined toprovide further embodiments.

While the above description describes certain embodiments of theinvention, and describes the best mode contemplated, no matter howdetailed the above appears in text, the invention can be practiced inmany ways. Details of the system may vary considerably in itsimplementation details, while still being encompassed by the inventiondisclosed herein. As noted above, particular terminology used whendescribing certain features or aspects of the invention should not betaken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to berestricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of theinvention with which that terminology is associated. In general, theterms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit theinvention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification,unless the above Detailed Description section explicitly defines suchterms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the invention encompasses notonly the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways ofpracticing or implementing the invention under the claims.

We claim:
 1. A method of querying Radio-frequency identification (RFID)tags, comprising: generating a predetermined laser energy signal by anenergy source, the predetermined laser energy signal unlocks data storedin memory of one or more RFID tags within range of the energy source;and transmitting an RF query, by an RFID reader comprising a processor,to the one or more RFID tags within a predetermined time window afterthe energy source generates the predetermined laser energy signal,wherein in response to the one or more RFID tags being in a first mode,the one or more RFID tags in the first mode are programmaticallyconfigured to respond to the RF query and provide the data stored withinthe one or more RFID tags after the one or more RFID tags receive thepredetermined laser energy signal such that the one or more RFID tags donot respond to the RF query unless the predetermined laser energy signalhas been received by the one or more RFID tags, and wherein, in responseto the one or more RFID tags being in a second mode, the one or moreRFID tags responds to the RF query without first sensing thepredetermined laser energy signal; when at least one RFID tag of the oneor more RFID tags is in the first mode, receiving one or more responsesfrom the at least one RFID tag, each of which whose memory has beenunlocked based on receipt of the predetermined laser energy signal,wherein the one or more responses provide to the RFID reader data storedwithin the one or more RFID tags; when at least one RFID tag of the oneor more RFID tags is in the second mode, receiving one or more responsesto the RF query from the RFID tags in the second mode without the RFIDtag first sensing the predetermined laser energy signal; process the oneor more RFID tag responses; and wherein the energy source is configuredto provide the predetermined laser energy signal such that an emittedlaser energy signal may be focused to select a single tag or may bediverging, yet still directional, to select one or more tags within thediverging laser energy signal to be responsive, and wherein the energysource is coupled to the processor and housed together with theprocessor.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmittingdata to write to a memory in a specific RFID tag of the one or more RFIDtags by the RFID reader.
 3. A method of responding to a Radio-frequencyidentification (RFID) reader query, the RFID reader comprising aprocessor, comprising: receiving, at one or more RFID tags, apredetermined laser energy signal generated by an energy source; placingthe one or more RFID tags in a first mode or a second mode, wherein theone or more RFID tags placed in the first mode are programmaticallyconfigured to respond to RF queries and provide the data stored withinthe one or more RFID tags after the one or more RFID tags receive thepredetermined laser energy signal such that the one or more RFID tags donot respond to the RF queries unless the predetermined laser energysignal has been received by the one or more RFID tags, and wherein, inresponse to the one or more RFID tags being in the first mode and inresponse to the one or more RFID tags receiving the predetermined laserenergy signal, unlocking data that is stored and locked in memory of theone or more RFID tags; receiving an RF query signal from the RFID readerafter receiving the predetermined laser energy signal; and responding tothe RF query when the memory is unlocked and when the one or more RFIDtags is in the first mode based at least in part on the one or more RFIDtags receiving the predetermined laser energy signal, and responding tothe RF query when the one or more RFID tags RFID tag are in the secondmode without the one or more RFID tags first sensing the predeterminedlaser energy signal, and wherein the energy source is configured toprovide the predetermined laser energy signal such that an emitted laserenergy signal may be focused to select a single tag or may be diverging,yet still directional, to select one or more tags within the diverginglaser energy signal to be responsive, and wherein the energy source iscoupled to the processor and housed together with the processor.
 4. Asystem for reading radio frequency identification (RFID) tagscomprising: an energy source configured to generate a predeterminedlaser energy signal that unlocks data in memory of one or more RFID tagswithin range of the energy source; and, an RFID reader comprising: atleast one data memory component, at least one RFID radio, at least oneinput/output component, and at least one processor coupled among thedata memory component, the RFID radio, and the input/output component,wherein the processor is configured to: transmit an RF query to the oneor more RFID tags within a predetermined time window after the energysource generates the predetermined laser energy signal, wherein inresponse to the one or more RFID tags being in a first mode, the one ormore RFID tags in the first mode are programmatically configured torespond to the RF query and provide the data stored within the one ormore RFID tags after the one or more RFID tags receive the predeterminedlaser energy signal such that the one or more RFID tags do not respondto RF queries unless the predetermined laser energy signal has beenreceived by the one or more RFID tags, and wherein, in response to theone or more RFID tags being in a second mode, the one or more RFID tagsresponds to the RF query without the one or more RFID tags first sensingthe predetermined laser energy signal; receive one or more responsesfrom the one or more RFID tags each of which whose memory has beenunlocked based on receipt of the predetermined laser energy signal,wherein the one or more responses provide to the RFID reader data storedwithin the one or more RFID tags; receiving one or more responses to theRF query from the one or more RFID tags in the second mode without theone or more RFID tags first sensing the predetermined laser energysignal, process the one or more responses from the one or more RFIDtags; wherein the energy source is configured to provide thepredetermined laser energy signal such that an emitted laser energysignal may be focused to select a single tag or may be diverging, yetstill directional, to select one or more tags within the diverging laserenergy signal to be responsive, and wherein the energy source is coupledto the processor and housed together with the processor.
 5. A system forquerying Radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags, comprising: anenergy source that generates a predetermined laser energy signal thatunlocks data in memory of one or more RFID tags within range of theenergy source; and an RFID reader comprising a processor, that transmitsan RF query signal to the one or more RFID tags subsequent to thegenerating of the predetermined laser energy signal, wherein theprocessor is configured to: receive one or more responses from the oneor more RFID tags each of which whose memory has been unlocked based onreceipt of the predetermined laser energy signal, wherein the one ormore responses provide to the RFID reader data stored within the one ormore RFID tags; process the one or more responses from the one or moreRFID tags, wherein the one or more RFID tags are placed in a first modeor a second mode, wherein in the first mode the one or more RFID tagsrespond to the RF query within the predetermined time window ofgeneration of the predetermined laser energy signal, wherein the one ormore RFID tags in the first mode are programmatically configured torespond and provide the data stored within the one or more RFID tagsafter the RFID tags receive the predetermined laser energy signal suchthat the one or more RFID tags do not respond to RF queries unless thepredetermined laser energy signal has been received by the one or moreRFID tags, and wherein in the second mode the one or more RFID tagsrespond to the RF query without first sensing the predetermined laserenergy signal, and wherein the energy source is configured to providethe predetermined laser energy signal such that an emitted laser energysignal may be focused to select a single tag or may be diverging, yetstill directional, to select one or more tags within the diverging laserenergy signal to be responsive, and wherein the energy source is coupledto the processor and housed together with the processor.